The Monterey Bay Area and Santa Clara County councils of the Boy Scouts of America have merged, scout officials have announced.

The new Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council will serve more than 20,000 scouts and 6,000 adult volunteers in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties under council president Dick Noack.

The merger goes into effect Dec. 31.

SALINAS

Free gift wrapping for seniors this week

Free gift wrapping for senior citizens will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Emeritus at Harden Ranch, 290 Regency Circle.